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C. L. BRALEY.

PRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. f4, 1915.

1 ,3 1 1,3 1 1 Patented July 29, 1919.

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C. L. BRALEY.

FRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I4| I9l6.

1 ,311,31 1 Patented July 29, 1919.

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C. L. BRALEY.

PRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.14. I916:

1,3 1 1,31 1 Patented July 29, 1919.

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PRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I4. 191s.

Patented July 29, 1919.

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PRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I4, 191a.

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C. L. BRALEY.

PRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14. 1916.

1,3]. 1,31 l Patented July 29, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

fizz/2272272? CHARLES L. BRALEY, or CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY,-OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

raassINo-MAcHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 29, 1919.

Application filed August 14, 1916. Serial No. 114,794.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. BRALEY, citizen of the United States, residing at 'Cin cinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pressing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pressing machines, and more particularly to that class of machines embodying relatively movable bucks or press heads between which the fabrics, garments or other articles are pressed.

The object of the invention is generally to simplify and improve the machine, increase its efficiency, and enable it to be operated more rapidly and with less effort; and more specifically. to providenovel and-more eflicient mechanism for producing the relative buck movement to press the work; to enable the treadle mechanism to be adjusted to take up wear and regulate the pressure between the bucks; to control the amount of opening between the bucks so as to reduce the labor and the time of the pressing operation; to provide an improved lock and release for the treadle mechanism; to produce an automatic equalizing movement of the bucks relative to each other so asto secure uniform pressure over the entire working area;

and finally to generally improve the details of the mechanism and machine as will more fully appear.

The invention comprises the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, which represent one embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a'.

front elevation, showing the upper buck or press head in its elevated position; Fig. 2 is an end view from the right in Fig. 1; Fig.3 is an end view from the left in Fig. 1, and illustrating the upper buck depressed; Fig. 4 is a rear view, showing the upper buck depressed; Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly broken out, and illustrating the lower buck; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section thereof on the line 6-6 Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 7 is a detail cross section on substantially the line 77, of Fig. 5, looking in the direction. of the arrows; Fi 7 is a detail cross section on the line 7 a of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a cross section through the upper and lower bucks in pressing position,

parallel walls 5 through which the operating lever ortreadle extends and between which is located an intermediate cam lever 6, a standard or pillar 7 extending upwardly from its rear portion and forming a support for the upper buck arm 8, and a bent or curved pedestal or pillar 9 at its front portion, which forms a support for the lower buck. Attached to the frame in any suitable manner, and at a level below the lower buck is a horizontal table. 10 to receive tools or implements used in connection with the machine, and upon which the work can be laid preparatory to subjecting it to the pressing operation in the machine. The upper and lower bucks are indicated respectively at 11 and 12, said bucks being relatively movable to press the garments or fabrics therbetween as will more fully hereinafter appear.

Operating mechanism for upper buck.

The upper buck 11 is attached to or forms part of the swinging arm or lever 8, which is pivoted on a horizontal axis between two arms 13 at the upper end of the pedestal or standard 7. The front arm of lever 8 is divided into two branches 14, while its rear arm has an upwardly extending portion 15 with a heavy weighted end 16 forming a counter balance for the buck, and a downwardly extending portion 17 whose inner face is curved to form a quick operating cam surface 18, and a final pressure cam surface 19 continuous therewith 'but at an angle thereto. Along said cam surface travels an anti-friction roller 20 on the upper arm 21 of the cam lever 6, which is pivoted upon a cross shaft 22 between the two parallel plates 5 of the frame. The lower arm 23 of this intermediate cam lever is curved into hook form and its rear face is'provided with a quick operating cam surface 24 and a final buck supporting arm; This in effect proing crankvarm 28 connec pressurecani surface 25 at an angle thereto for cooperation with an ant -friction member, such as the roller 26 journaled in the foot treadle 4, which is pivoted upon a shaft 27 at the rear of the machine. Shaft 22 turns with the intermediate cam lever 6 and is also provided withantrerpwardly extenddirectly to the treadle lever 4 by a link 29. Said link con sists of a lower U shaped portion 30 having an opening in its head to receive 'a rod 31 having a head 32 on its lower end. Between said head and the U-shaped member-Q0 is located a pressure spring 33, This arran ement forms a yielding link connection 7 tween-the levers 4 and 6'a'ndallows full pressure to be put upon vthetreadle lever without straining the mechanism other than by compression of the s ring 33.

Under normal conditions, when the upper buck 11 is elevated, as shown in'Fig. 2, the treadle lever 4 is elevated with the roller 26 thereon lyingin the recess or curve in the lower arm 23, or, in other words, at the upper end of the cam surface 24. Roller 20 on arm 21 likewise lies at the upperend of the cam surface 18 on the upper buck carrying lever. The upper-buck 1S depressed by n foot pressure upon the step 34 of the treadle lever4, which pulls downthe link 29 and arm 28 to rotate the shaft 22, and also causes the roller 26 to travel downwardly along the operating-cam surface 24. lB'oth link 29-and roller 26 tend to rotate the cam lever 6 in a clock-Wise direction, Fig. 2 causing its roller 20 to travel downwardly along the cam surface 18 and thereby push the depending portion 17 of the arm 8 to the right in Fig. 2, rotating lever'8 in a counter clock-wise direction, Fig. 2, and depressing the upper buck toward the lower buck. he curvature of the cam surfaces 18 and 24. is such that the buck supporting arm is depressed rapidly and when said upper buck is in contact with lower buck the rollers 20 and'26 have reached the lower ends of the quick'operating cam surfaces 18 and.24. The final pressure cam' surfaces 19 and 25 are inclined relatively to the initial or quick operating cam surfaces 18 and 24 and travel of the respective rollers along'said final pressure cam surfaces produces materially less movement of the upper duces a greater amplification or multiplication of the leverage or pressure applied b the foot to the treadle 4, so that the final e fort of the operator .in pressing down upon the foot treadle produces a very heavy pressure between the two bucks, as will be readily understood. 7

Buck opening ale vices.

- When treadle t e upper buck is elevated by the tension of one or several retracting springs ressure is released from the foot 35, two being shown, which are attached at their lower ends to the stationary frame art 3 and at their upper ends to eyes 36 carrie by the outer end of the rear arm-of the buck supporting lever 8 and adjustable therein to vary the tension of said springs in an suitable "manner, such as by the screws 37. he inter-s mediate camilever 6 is always held in workmg contact wlth the roller 26- by asimilar tension springl 38 extending from the lower end-of said lever to a fixed support, such as an eye on theend of the rod 39 carried by vthe rear extension 3' of the frame and having its outer end threaded to receive a nut 46 for ad ustmg, the tension of said spring.

contact therewith throughout the full range of movement of roller20 along the cam tracks 18 and19, and durin the elevating movement of -the upper buc the roller 42 hugs the track 41 soa s to maintain contact between the roller 20 and cam surfaces 18 and 19. Spring 38, roller 42, and track .4 1 coii erate to maintain the three levers 4,' 6 an 8 in coiiperating working relation to each other, at all times and prevent any. lost motion between these parts, requiring them to all move together or as a unit.

movement.

In Fig. 2 the upper buck is elevated to its extreme upper position withthe two bucks Stop device for regulating back opening widely separated to enable the work to be: easily arranged upon the lower buck for the pressing of the garment, to ap ly a brush thereto or smooth out small wrln rles therein. If the upper buck must be elevated each time the full amount the effort required to depress it and also the time required for the complete' pressing operation are increased. To limit the buck movement the foot treadle 4 is provided with a plurality (two being shown) of stopsor abutments 45, which are shown as located on its front portion and at difierent horizontal levels; Said abutments 'coiiperate with the lower end of a stop lever 46 pivoted at 47 upon the fixed frame and capable of being turned to any desirable position by a. handle 48. Said lever is preferably provided with friction devices, such j as a pressure spring 49 surrounding its pivot,

for holding it in any position in which it is set. When said lever is in the position shown in Fig. 2 its lower end .is above the lower abutment 45,- so that the lever 4 can The dependingportionj 17 of the buck car- I wardly to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, the lower end of said lever lies in the path of movement of the upper abutment 45 and reduces the upward movement of the lever 4.

Treadle Zack and release/ I It is sometimes desirable to hold the two bucks in pressing relation for some length of time, for which purpose the present machine is provided with means for locking the bucks in pressing relation. This result is accomplished by a latch 50 pivoted at 51 upon one side of the treadle 4, and near the front end of said treadle. The lower end of said latch is in the form of a hook 52, whose lower edge is curved to engage and pass a stationary hook 53' upon the fixed base. The center of gravity of said latch, however, is at the left of its pivot- 51 in Fig. 1, and said latch therefore tends to swing to the right in Fig. 1 and its hook swings under and into locking relation with hook 53 when it passes the same. This latch will hold the treadle 4 in depressed position with the two bucks in ment of the hooks 52 and 53 when the treadle is depressed. For this purpose the machine is provided with a small lever 59 pivoted on a vertical aXis 60 on the lower side of the treadle 4. One end of said lever has a curved cam surface 61 arranged to engage the latch 50 below its pivotand swing the same to inoperative position, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1.

Treadle adjustment.

The pivot 27 for the foot treadle 4 is a pin supported in two upstanding cars 62 of a block 63 slidable longitudinally of the machine on guide rods 64 and capable of adjustment along said rods in either direction by two screws 65 threaded into the stationary frame. This adjustment may be utilized either to take up wear in the operating mechanism for the upper buck or to regulate the degree of pressure between the two bucks produced by a given efiort upon the foot treadle. These effects are secured because adjustment of the pivot for the foot treadle also adjusts the roller 26 relative to its cooperating cam surface on the cam lever. 1f the pivot 27 .is shifted rearwardly the pressure is decreased, while if it is-shifted forwardly the eifect is to produce a greater movement of the levers 6 and 8 thereby increasing the pressure of the upper upon the lower buck.

Upper back.

The upper buck 11 is a hollow cast iron member having an inner chamber 65 communicating with channels or ducts 66 in the arms 14 of the lever 8 for circulating steam or other suitable medium through the buck for heating the same. The lower surface of the buck body is smooth and may be covered with suitable press cloth or padding 67 -in the usual manner. The cannels 66 lead to and pass through the bearings for the buck arm 8 so that said arm can turn, as described, without interrupting the steam supply. One of said channels communicates with a steam supply pipe 68 and the other with a pipe 69, hereafter referred to.

7 Lower buck.

The lower buck 12 is stationary, except for the equalizing movement hereafter described. It may also be a hollow cast iron member, its body having an inner chamber 70 to which the heating medium, such as steam, is supplied from pipe 69, and from which chamber it flows to the discharge pipe 71. The steam flows to and from the chamber 70 through swivel pipe connections 72 on the'bottom of the buck body and arranged in alinement with each other along an axis parallel with the length of the buck. These swivel connections permit the buck to turn about said axis in bearings 73 of the standard 9 into the most effective coiiperating relation with theupper buck to secure uniform pressing results over the entire pressing area. The upper surface of the lower buck is also at an incline to the horizontal and slopes downwardly from front to rear, (as shown in Fig. 3) which slope assists in retaining upon the lower buck any garment hanging over its front edge. To produce an automatic equilizing movement of the lower buck relative to the upper buck the buck body is also provided with a depending arm 73 having opposite pockets 74 to receive pressure springs 7 4 within the hollow standard 9. These springs normally hold the lower buck in a central position but allow it to turn slightly in either direction and return it to central position when the upper buck is raised.

The inclination of the pressing face of the lower buck is also at an angle to the pivotal'axis of the upper buck carrying lever. Consequently when the upper buck is brought down it wedges in, as it were, be-

I tween the lower buck and said pivotal axis.

movement of the two buck faces relative to I each other in the direction of the arrows A Fig. 2, at the very moment of maximum pressure which gives a. finish to the goods and improves their ap earance.

The upper face of t e lower buck is provided with a series of grooves or channels between radiating ri s 76, said channels leading to all parts of the pressing area and all communicating with a central port 77 leading to a laterally extending passage 7 8 connected by pipe 79 to a port 80 opening into the hollow buck chamber 70. Pipe 79 is provided with a suitable quick opening valve 81 controlling the, flow of steam from the chamber 70 to the various grooves or channels 7 5, which distribute said steam thoroughly to all parts of the buck underneath a thin metal plate 82 having a large number of small holes 83 therein and bolted or screwed directly to the buck body. Around the body is a band or wall 84 forming with the plate 82 a seat to receive the removable press cloth or pad. This pad comprises a thin perforated metal sheet 85 punched down at intervals around its periphery to form tongues 86 over which the edges of the cover sheet or cloth 87 are hooked, said tongues being on the bottomof said plate when in position on the buck, as in Fig. 7*. Between the cover cloth 87 and plate 85 are any desired number of layers of cloth or other padding 88, held against lateral movement by upwardly bent tongues 86 of the plate 85. Several different pads may be provided for each machine, so that when one becomes worn or soaked with moisture another may be substituted therefor;

S teaming device.

The steam supply flows from pipe 68 through the hollow body of the u per buck and heats the same, then passes 0 through ipe 69 and enters the hollow body of the ower buck throughone of the swivel connections 72 passing ofi through the other to the discharge pipe 89. A by pass pipe 90' may also connect the pipes 69 and 71, and pipes 69 and 89 may be provided with suitable valves 91, 92 enabling the steam to be circulated through the lower buck or around the same as desired.

' A part of the live steam in the hollow lower buck may also be admitted through the pipe 79 beneath the padding on the lower buck for moistening the garment.

This steam supply is controlled by the valve 81 which has a sliding stem 93 actuated by a small bell crank lever 94 pivoted at 95 and connected to a sprin 96 for normally holding said valve close One arm of thebell crank is connected by a link 97 to an arm 98 on a shaft 99 having a foot treadle 100' for operating the same. By pressing down on thefoot treadle valve 81 is opened to admit steam to the press cloth or padding. The valve 81 and'pipe 79 have a slight floating valve to its operating movement with the lower buck, as the latter equalizes its position with respect to the upper buck, but the link connections of said pedal permit such movement without affecting the valve.

What I claim is:

- 1. A pressing machine, comprising co'iipcrating pressing bucks, one of which is movable, a pivoted treadle, a lever for actuating the movable buck and having an inclined operating face, a member actuated by said connectingsaid treadle and lever.

2. A pressing machine, comprising coop:-

comprising cok'iptreadle and traveling over said face for o crating said lever, and a link operative y said treadle and having a portion traveling over said face for operating said buck supporting lever, and means for adjusting said member relative to said lever for varying the working pressure between said bucks.

4. A pressing machine, comprising co'iipcrating pressing bucks, one of which is movable, a pivoted treadle, "a lever supporting the movable buck and having an inclined operating face and a final pressure face at an angle thereto, a pivoted lever actuated by said treadle and having a portion traveling over said faces for operating said buck supporting lever, and means for adjusting said treadle relative to said lever for varying the working pressure between said bucks.

5. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck, acam face on said lever, a

movable member traveling over said cam face for actuating said leverin one direction, a cam track on said lever, and means movable with said member and traveling on said track for maintaining said member in operative relation with said cam' face.

6. A pressingmachine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever.-- supporting the movable buck, a cam face on said lever, a movable member having a portion traveling over said cam' face for actuating said lever and an inclined cam portion, a pivoted foot treadle having a portion traveling over the cam portion of said member for actuating said member, and a link operatively connecting said treadle and movable member.

7. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck, a cam face on said lever having a quick operating portion and a final pressure creating portion at an angle thereto, a swinging lever having a portion traveling over both portions of said cam face for actuating said lever, and a pivoted. foot treadle for actuating said swinging lever.

8. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted leversupporting the movable buck, a cam face on said lever, a movable member traveling over said cam face for actuating said lever, a pivoted foot treadle for actuating said member, and means for adjusting said treadle relative to said member for varying the working pressure between said bucks.

- 9. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck, a cam face on said lever having a quick operating portion and a final pressure creating portion at an angle thereto, a movable member traveling over both portionsof said cam face for actuating said lever, a pivoted foot treadle for actuating said member, and means for adjusting said treadle relative to said member for varying the working pressure between said bucks.

10'. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck, a lever operatively connected to said buck supporting lever and provided with a cam face having a quick operating portion and a final pressure creating portion at an angle thereto, and a movable member traveling over said cam face for actuating said levers.

11. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck, a lever connected to operate said buck carrying lever and provided with an arm having a cam face thereon, a movable member traveling over said cam face for actuating said lever, and a retracting spring connected to said cam lever.

12. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck, a lever operatively connected to said buck supporting vlewr and provided with a cam face having a quick operating portion and a final pres sure creatin portion at an angle thereto, a movable mem er travelingover said cam face for actuating said levers, and a retracting spring connected to said cam lever.

13. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck, a lever'connected to operate said buck carrying lever and provided with an arm having a cam face thereon, a movable member traveling over said cam face for actuating said levers, and means for adjusting said member relative to said cam lever for varying the Working pressure between said bucks.

14. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck, a lever operatively connected to said buck supporting lever and provided with a cam face having a quick operating portion and a final pressure creating portion at an angle thereto, a movable member traveling over said camface for actuating said levers, and means for adjusting said member relative to said cam lever for varying the working pressure between said bucks.

' 15. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted. lever supporting the movable buck and provided with .an arm having a cam face, a second pivoted lever having two arms, one of which is provided with a member traveling over said cam face and the other of which is provided with a cam face, and a movable member traveling over said last named cam face for actuating said bucks.

16. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck and provided with an arm having a cam face, a second pivoted lever having two arms, one of which is provided with a member traveling over said cam face and the other of which is provided with a cam face, and a foot treadle provided with a working member traveling over said last named cam face for actuating said levers.

17 A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck and provided with a cam face having a quick operating portion and a final pressure creating portion at an angle thereto, a second pivoted lever having two arms, one of which is provided with a member traveling over both portions of said cam surface and the other of which is provided with a cam face, and a movable member traveling over said last named cam face for actuating said levers.

18. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck cooperating therewith, a pivoted lever supporting the movable buck and provided with a cam face, a second pivoted lever having two arms, one of which is provided with a member traveling over said cam face and the other of which is provided with a cam face having a quick operating portion and ,a final pressure creating portion at an angle there- .to, and a movable member traveling over both portions of said last named cam face for actuating said levers. 19. A pressing machine, comprising a vi ed with a roller traveling over a cam surface on the next lever, and each lever exoept the first having a cam surface for co operation with the'roller of the preceding lever.

20. A pressing machine, comprising a stationary buck, a movable buck, a lever having a cam face and arranged when operated to actuate said movable buck, and an operating lever carryin over said cam face, an 'a rigid link operatively connecting said levers. 21. A pressing machine, comprising cooperating bucks, one of which is movable, a pivoted lever for actuating the movable. buck, a pivoted latch carried by said lever, a stationary latch cooperating therewith, said latches being arranged to engage when said'lever is depressed, means for releasingsaid latch devices, and means carried by said lever and arranged to engage sald pivoted latch for holding the same out of operation.

22. A pressing machine, comprising upper and lower bucks, a pivoted lever, said lower buck having a hollow body mounted on sta-. tionary pivots, whereby the lower buck a roller traveling equalizes its position relative to the upper buck, spring devices holding said lower buck in normal central position, means for circulating steam through said pivots and through the hollow bod of the lower buck,

' the body of the lower uck being provided with steang distributing channels on its pressing face and pipe connections carried y the lower buck body for supplying steam from its hollow body to said steam distributing channel-s.

23. A pressing machine, comprising upper and lower bucks, a pivoted lever,'said lower buck having a'hollow body mounted on stationary pivots, whereby the lower buck equ'alizes its position relative to the upper buck, spring devices holding said lower buck in normal central position, means for circulating steam throu h said pivots and through the hollow body of the lower buck, the body of the lower buck being provided with steam distributing channels on its pressing face, pipe connections carried by the lower buck body for supplying steam from its hollow body to said steam distributing channels, and a valve carried by and movable with said pipe connections.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. BRAIJEY.

Witnesses: A I

- J. H. SPELLER,

H. H. GINDELE. 

